Ex-Sunland Park Judge Guilty

Las Cruces – A jury in Las Cruces, N.M., has convicted a former Sunland Park municipal court judge of three counts of election fraud.

The jury returned the verdict against Horacio Favela after deliberating for less than three hours on Friday afternoon.

Evidence at the weeklong trial showed that Favela voted in both El Paso, Texas, and Dona Ana, N.N., counties in the November 2004 election. He was living in El Paso but ran for the judgeship in Dona Ana County and voted in both elections.

The convictions were for false voting, making a false statement on his candidate declaration and falsifying documents in a municipal election.

Favela faces up to 18 months in prison and a $5,000 fine on each count. No sentencing date was immediately available.